CASE STUDIES

Joint instruction

A young student, 17 at the time of the accident, suffered severe injuries resulting in complete paralysis and was wheelchair dependant. He was in his first year of A-levels and had aspirations to attend university and had considered a career in IT and design. At the time of the instruction, when the Claimant was 19, he was studying a 2-year diploma in computer studies.

TGA conducted an analysis of his family background influences and education and we determined at the time of the accident his accumulated UCAS points indicated him being offered a place at a good university.

His current situation still opened up the possibility of a university place but it was likely his studies would interrupted by health and other related difficulties. Because of the considerable adaptations required at a potential workplace it was our opinion that he would probably commence work on a part-time basis, perhaps with a university, probably in a support role, and at which he would earn considerably less than had he not suffered the accident. We were also able to enhance his earnings by the inclusion of paid casual work whilst at university.